Hong Kong TV star arrested

TVB's Chan held on corruption charges

Stephen Chan Chi-wan, one of Hong Kong’s most popular broadcasters, is among four Television Broadcasts (TVB) employees arrested in a HK$10 million ($1.3 million) anti-corruption probe.

The case has shocked the tight-knit biz in Hong Kong, where Chan presents a show called “Be My Guest” and is general manager of the broadcaster.

The director of an ad firm is also being held, according to local reports.

Chan and the TVB execs have allegedly been milking the pay of TVB artists that they offered to companies for stage and promotional events at shopping malls and hotels.

The investigation, by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, won’t affect operations, TVB said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange. TVB is controlled by 102-year-old Run Run Shaw, who founded the station in 1967.

TVB is a major producer of skeins and variety shows that are popular among the Chinese diaspora and it accounts for more than 70% of Hong Kong’s free-to-air TV market by ad sales.